“Things are not at all what they seem to be: oh no, not at all.”

“Did you think that rats do not have hearts? Wrong. All living things have a heart. And the heart of any living thing can be broken.”

“It seems to be that way with most things. No one to do the really disagreeable jobs except oneself.”

“Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful. And Despereaux's love for the Princess Pea would prove, in time, to be all of these things: powerful, wonderful, and ridiculous.”

“When you are a king, you may make as many ridiculous laws as you like. That is what being a king is all about.”

“No one cared what she wanted. No one had ever cared. And perhaps, worst of all, no one ever would care.”

“And Edward was surprised to discover that he was listening. Before, when Abilene had talked to him, everything had seemed so boring, so pointless. But now, the stories Nellie told struck him as the most important thing in the world and he listened as if his life depended on what she said." (page 69)”